QUANTUM COMPUTING

Quantum Computing
► What is quantum?
The quantum in "quantum computing" refers to the quantum mechanics that the
system uses to calculate outputs. In physics, a quantum is the smallest possible
discrete unit of any physical property. It usually refers to properties of atomic or
subatomic particles, such as electrons, neutrons and photons.
► What is a qubit?
A qubit is the basic unit of information in quantum computing. Qubits play a
similar role in quantum computing as bits play in classical computing, but they
behave very differently. Classical bits are binary and can hold only a position of 0
or 1 but qubits can hold a superposition of all possible states.
► What is quantum computing?
Quantum Computers harness the unique behavior of quantum physics such as
superposition, entanglement and quantum interference and apply it to
computing. This introduces new concepts to traditional programming methods
Quantum Computing
► Quantum computing is an area of computing focused on developing computer
technology based on the principles of quantum theory (which explains the
behavior of energy and material on the atomic and subatomic levels).
Computers used today can only encode information in bits that take the value
of 1 or 0 restricting their ability.
► Quantum computing, on the other hand, uses quantum bits or qubits. It
harnesses the unique ability of subatomic particles that allows them to exist
in more than one state (i.e. 1 and 0 at the same time).
Understanding Quantum Computing
► Superposition and entanglement are two features of quantum physics on
which these supercomputers are based. This empowers quantum computers to
handle operations at speeds exponentially higher than conventional
computers and at much lesser energy consumption.
► The field of quantum computing started in the 1980s. It was then discovered
that certain computational problems could be tackled more efficiently with
quantum algorithms than with their classical counterparts.
► Quantum computing could contribute greatly in the fields of finance, military
affairs and intelligence, drug design and discovery, aerospace designing,
utilities (nuclear fusion), polymer design, machine learning and artificial
intelligence and Big Data search, and digital manufacturing.
Superposition
► In superposition, quantum particles are a combination of all possible states.
They fluctuate until they are observed and measured. One way to picture the
difference between binary position and superposition is to imagine a coin.
► Classical bits are measured by "flipping the coin" and getting heads or tails.
However, if you were able to look at a coin and see both heads and tails at
the same time, as well as every state in between, the coin would be in
superposition.
Entanglement
► Entanglement is integral to quantum computing power. Pairs of qubits can be
made to become entangled. This means that the two qubits then exist in a
single state. In such a state, changing one qubit directly affects the other in a
manner that's predictable.
► We can use the measurements from one qubit to draw conclusions about the
others. By adding and entangling more qubits in a system, quantum computers
can calculate exponentially more information and solve more complicated
problems.
► Quantum algorithms are designed to take advantage of this relationship to solve
complex problems. While doubling the number of bits in a classical computer
doubles its processing power, adding qubits results in an exponential upswing in
computing power and ability.
Real World Example of a Quantum Computer
► Google (GOOG) is spending billions of dollars on its plan to build its quantum
computer by 2029. The company has opened a campus in California, called
Google AI, to help it meet its goal google has been investing in this technology
for years. As well, so have other companies, such as Honeywell International (
and International Business Machine (IBM) expects to hit major quantum
computing milestones in the coming years
► While some companies have built personal (although expensive) quantum
computers, there is still nothing available on the commercial side. And
there’s interest in quantum computing and its technology, with JPMorgan
Chase and Visa looking into the technology. Once developed, Google could
launch a quantum computing service via the cloud.
► Companies can also gain access to quantum technology without having to
build a quantum computer. IBM plans to have a 1000-quibit quantum
computer in place by 2023. For now, IBM allows access to its machines if
they’re part of its Quantum Network. Those that are part of the network
include research organizations, universities, and laboratories.
► Microsoft also offers companies access to quantum technology via the Azure
Quantum platform. This is unlike Google, which doesn’t sell access to its
quantum computers.
How does quantum computing work?
A quantum computer has three primary parts :-
► An area that houses the qubits.
► A method for transferring signals to the qubits.
► A classical computer to run a program and send instructions.
For some methods of qubit storage, the unit that houses the qubits is kept at a
temperature just above absolute zero to maximize their coherence and reduce
interference. Other types of qubit housing use a vacuum chamber to help
minimize vibrations and stabilize the qubits
Signals can be sent to the qubits using a variety of methods, including
microwaves, laser and voltage
 Uses and Benefits of Quantum Computing
► Quantum computing could contribute greatly to the fields of security,
finance, military affairs and intelligence, drug design and discovery,
aerospace designing, utilities (nuclear fusion), polymer design, machine
learning, artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data search, and digital
manufacturing.
► Quantum computers could be used to improve the secure sharing of
information. Or to improve radars and their ability to detect missiles and
aircraft. Another area where quantum computing is expected to help is the
environment and keeping water clean with chemical sensors.
 Uses and Benefits of Quantum Computing
► Quantum computing could contribute greatly to the fields of security,
finance, military affairs and intelligence, drug design and discovery,
aerospace designing, utilities (nuclear fusion), polymer design, machine
learning, artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data search, and digital
manufacturing.
► Quantum computers could be used to improve the secure sharing of
information. Or to improve radars and their ability to detect missiles and
aircraft. Another area where quantum computing is expected to help is the
environment and keeping water clean with chemical sensors.
 Uses and Benefits of Quantum Computing
Here are some potential benefits of quantum computing:
► Financial institutions may be able to use quantum computing to design more
effective and efficient investment portfolios for retail and institutional
clients. They could focus on creating better trading simulators and improve
fraud detection.
► The healthcare industry could use quantum computing to develop new drugs
and genetically-targeted medical care. It could also power more advanced
DNA research.
► For stronger online security, quantum computing can help design better data
encryption and ways to use light signals to detect intruders in the system.
► Quantum computing can be used to design more efficient, safer aircraft and
traffic planning systems.
 Limitations of Quantum Computing
Quantum computing offers enormous potential for developments and
problem-solving in many industries. However, currently, it has its limitations.
► Decoherence, or decay, can be caused by the slightest disturbance in the
qubit environment. This results in the collapse of computations or errors to
them. As noted above, a quantum computer must be protected from all
external interference during the computing stage.
► Error correction during the computing stage hasn't been perfected. That
makes computations potentially unreliable. Since qubits aren't digital bits of
data, they can't benefit from conventional error correction solutions used by
classical computers.
► Retrieving computational results can corrupt the data. Developments such as
a particular database search algorithm that ensures that the act of
measurement will cause the quantum state to decohere into the correct
answer hold promise.
► Security and quantum cryptography is not yet fully developed.
► A lack of qubits prevents quantum computers from living up to their potential
for impactful use. Researchers have yet to produce more than 128
Quantum Computer vs. Classical Computer
► Quantum computers process information differently Classical computers use
transistors, which are either 1 or 0 Quantum computers use qubits, which can
be 1 or 0 at the same time The number of qubits linked together increases the
quantum computing power exponentially Meanwhile, linking together more
transistors only increases power linearly
► Classical computers are best for everyday tasks that need to be completed by
a computer Meanwhile, quantum computers are great for running simulations
and data analyses, such as for chemical or drug trials These computers must
be kept ultra cold, however They are also much more expensive and difficult
to build.
► Classical computing advances include adding memory to speed up computers
Meanwhile, quantum computers help solve more complicated problems While
quantum computers might not run Microsoft Word better or faster, they can
run complex problems faster
Quantum Computer vs. Classical Computer
► For example, Google’s quantum computer that’s in development could help
with many processes, such as speed up machine learning training or help
create more energy efficient batteries.
► Quantum computing has a number of other applications, including securely
sharing information Other methods include fighting cancer and various health
concerns, such as cancer and developing new drugs As well, quantum
computers can help improve radars and their ability to detect such things as
missiles and aircraft Other areas include the environment and using quantum
computing to keep the water clean with chemical sensors